The Energy Permitting Reform Act harms communities

Against the interest of the greater good, this deal is a reincarnation of previous attempts by Big Oil to skirt the permitting process with the help of national legislators in their pockets. And we need to hold onto any and all hardfought environmental protections (really, environmental protections are people protections, public health protections, economic protections) that we can, while also building community-led energy solutions that do not exacerbate climate change, cumulative impacts on overburdened communities, or global exploitation.

Communities have fought loosening permitting restrictions in its multiple iterations and, rightfully, won – there are already too many ways fossil fuel companies dodge full accountability for the harms they cause. Harmful policy that has been overwhelmingly opposed year after year, should not be shoved down our throats at the whims of companies that do not mind destroying our neighborhoods, our water, our air, and our planet, for a few dollars in their bank accounts today.

A key nuance: We’re not against all permitting “reform” (see our positive permitting vision)  — we’re against Big Oil co-opting our government to serve their purposes. And if you are, too, let your legislators know.

The only one benefiting is big business.

• EPRA lays the groundwork to fast track dirty and polluting industry.
• EPRA dismantles bedrock legislation like the National Environmental Policy Act that protects communities by ensuring we have recourse against polluting industry. Shortening judicial review helps no one except big business.
• EPRA undermines climate and energy goals by creating loopholes for unproven and dangerous technologies as it expands fossil fuel abuse of public lands.
• EPRA does not address the backlog of renewable energy projects.